Martin lands on DL with tendinitis; Pinder recalled
Righty reliever had 3.55 ERA through 15 outings this season
NEW YORK -- The Yankees' bullpen has been outstanding this season, but it has also gotten a lot of work.
Saturday, that workload claimed its first victim, when the Yankees placed right-hander Chris Martin on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his right elbow.
"I guess fatigue got to me," Martin said, after the Yankees' 6-2 loss to the Orioles.
The Yankees called up right-hander Branden Pinder from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take Martin's spot on the roster and in the bullpen. Pinder appeared in two games for the Yankees in April, pitching two scoreless innings.
Martin had developed into an important part of the Yankees' middle relief, and his 15 appearances were tied for second on the team behind Dellin Betances' 16. Martin has a 3.55 ERA through 12 2/3 innings.
Martin said he felt some pain in his elbow when he appeared in Friday night's game against the Orioles. He initially thought he could pitch through it, but the Yankees decided to give him time off.
"They just feel like I need to get some rest and be smart with this," Martin said.
Manager Joe Girardi understands the need to be smart with all his relievers. He said before the game Saturday that Betances and Andrew Miller wouldn't pitch, which he's noted before.
He plans to be proactive with the bullpen.
"I think I have to give them mandatory days off, even when they say they feel good," Girardi said.